Message holder for telephones



Dec. 6, 1932.

R. H BARCLAY MESSAGE HOLDER FOR TELEPHONES Filed Aug. 8, 1931 INVENTOR y Mm ATTORNEYS Holaeri H. Dara/a Patented Dec. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES ROBERT E. BARCLAY,

on NEW YORK, N. Y.

MESSAGE HOLDER FOR TELEPHON'ES Application filed August 8, 1931. Serial No. 555,958.

My invention relates to message holding means for attachment on telephones, and the same has for its object to provide a simple, efficient and convenient device which may be readily interengaged with the telephone in position for use without interfering with the operation of the telephone.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character specified which is particularly adapted for use with telephones of the French type.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character specified in which the means for attaching the device is in its entirety formed integrally with a portion of the message holding means thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character specified in which the attaching means thereof is adapted to be interengaged with and locked in position on a telephone prong by a simple movement without the use of screws or other auxiliary fastening means to secure the same in place. i o

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of one form of device constructed according to and embodying my said invention, the same being shown attached tothe telephone;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective.

Referring to the drawing, the French telephone includes the prongs 12 for receiving therebetween the combined transmitter and receiver 1 1. The member 14. when disposed between the prongs holds the actuating means 16 depressed to open the circuit.

The message holder 17 comprises a strip of thin material, preferably metal, having an apertured lower portion 18, constituting attaching means. The aperture or opening 20 conforms in shape and size to the cross-section of the telephone substantially at the base of the prong 12, as indicated at Fig; 1. The upper portion 22 of the strip 17 is arranged angularly relative to the lower portion, as indicated at Fig. 2 and yieldable fingers or detents 24 are formed at the juncture of the two portions and are adaptedto engage and look around the opposite sides of the prong 12. A spring tongue or clip 26 is secured at one end to the upper side of the portion 22and cooperates therewith for receiving messages or I papers therebetween. r I

The device 17 is adapted to be interlocked with'one of the prongs 12, preferably a prong at the rear of the telephone. In attaching the device the member 14.- is temporarily removed. The device 17 is held with the tongues 24: facing upwardly, and the apertured. portion 18 placed about the prong. Whenthe device reaches its lowermost position it is then tilted towards the rear to bring the tongues 24 into engagement with the opposite sides of the prong, the lower portion 18 engaging below I the prong substantially as shown at Figs."1 and 2. The device is thus securely locked against vertical movement in both directions by the portion 18,' and the engagement of the device with theinner side of the prong preventsrearward movement, the spring tongues 24holding the device against movement in the opposite direction away from the prong.

' The device whenin position closely hugs theinner side of the prongQ-whilethe portion 22 extendsoutwardly over the prong. The member 14 can thus be readily removed and so replaced without being interfered with by the device. "Any message A may be readily inserted below-the clip 26 where it can be readily seen. r P I 35 My device is simple in construction, and

may be readily placed in position without the use of separate fastening devices, such as bands or screws, the attaching means 18in its entirety being formed integrally with the device, and the device, being composed of thin strip-like material, takes uppvery little space between the prongs.

Having thus described my invention, what I I claim and desire to secure by Letters-Pat- 5 entis: i I

1. A device of the character described comprising a member having anapertured lower portion adaptedto. engage about a telephone prong at the base thereof and extendalong the inner side thereof, said lower portion including a transverse part below the aperture adapted to extend under the prongs means on the member for retaining the device in engagement with the inner side of the prong, and means on the upper portion of the member for holding messages. I 2. A device of the character described comprising a member having an integrally formed apertured portion and tongues, said apertured portion being adapted to engage about a telephone prong at the base thereof and including a part below the aperture adapted to extend under-the prong, and said tongues locking the member to the prong, and message holding means on the member. '3, A device of the character described comprising a strip having an apertured'lower portion including a part below the'aperture and spring fingers above said apertured portion, said apertured portion being adapted to engage about a telephone prong at the base-thereof. with said part extending under 7, the base of the prong and to extend along the inner side of the prong to be looked theredevice relative to the prong when secured in position, means for retaining said strip in engagement with the inner side of the prong, and message holding means on the upper portion of the strip.

8. A device of the character described comprisinga strip having a lower portion for engagement under a prong at the base thereof to prevent vertical movement of the device when secured in position, fingers for retaining said strip in engagement with the inner side of the-prong, the upper portion of said strip extending outwardly at an angle in the direction. of projection of said fingers, and message holding means on the upper portion of the strip. a i

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name hereto.

7 ROBERT H. BARCLAY.

to by said fingers, and message holding means 7 on the upper portion of the strip.

4. A device of the character described comprising a member having an apertnred lower portion adapted to engage about a telephone prong at the base thereof and including a part extending under: said base, the upper portion of said member being arranged at an angle to the lower portion to extend outwardly over said prong, and message holding means carried by said upper portion. I

- 5. A device of the character described comprising a strip having an aperture at the lower portion thereof adapted to fit a telephone prong at the base thereof and to extend along the inner side thereof, spring fingers formed integrally with said str p above the aperture and adapted to engage the prong to hold the device in position, the upper portion of the strip extending outwardly at an angle to the lower portion in thedirection of projection of said fingers, and message holdmg means on the upper portion.

6. A device of thecharacter described comprising a member having complete means formed integrally therewith for attaching the same to the prong of a telephone, said means including a portion receiving the prong at the base thereof and extending transversely under the base, and means for retaining the member in engagement with the inner side of the'prong, and means on the member for holding messages.

7. A device of the character described co1nprising a strip having a lower portion for engagement about a prong at the base thereof and including a part extending under the prong to prevent vertical movement of the 

